Letters from Europe, the journal of a tour through Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Italy, and Switzerland, in 1825, '26, and '27

vantage at home, as in London, Paris, or Rome. The same remark may be made, in relation to the state of science, literature, and politics. In an active intercourse with those nations, books, reviews, and newspapers are daily received, furnishing more authentic information in these departments, than can be gleaned in the cursory observations of a traveller. These apologies may in part obviate objections, which will unquestionably be raised, and of which the author, on a review of his pages, is as fully sensible, as will be any of his readers. Although as much variety and discrimination have been thrown into successive views, as the nature of the scenery would admit; yet it is feared, that in too many instances, changes have been necessarily rung in language and descriptive epithets. It is much easier to find fault, even with one's own writings, than to amend and improve. So far as it was practicable, defects of the kind alluded to have been corrected; but it was impossible to avoid them entirely, without remodelling the whole structure of the work, at an expense of time and labour, which the intrinsic value of the materials would not justify.

An explanatory remark may be necessary, with respect to the persons of the narrative, as the changes may at times appear confused to the reader. The author was accompanied throughout his tour by a friend, who participated in its various incidents and pleasures. To his society was often added that of other American tourists; and in most instances, the disagreeable necessity of using an odious pronoun was avoided, except in cases requiring individuality of opinion. The same delicacy, in suppressing the names of persons alluded to, has been observed in the volumes, as in the original sketches, save only where it was impracticable to adopt appellatives, and where it was supposed no possible offence could be taken.

Some apprehension is felt, that the terms of the prospectus

and title-page, which could not be altered without circumlocution, may be thought to hold out a lure, which was not intended, with respect to the extent of the tour. The language is exactly true in point of fact, though it may promise more than the contents of the volumes will fulfil. Ireland and Switzerland are both embraced among the countries traversed; though only the southern section of the former and a small part of the latter were visited. The year 1827 is also included, as a portion of the period occupied in the tour; but the sequel will prove, that little use has been made of the materials, collected during a second visit to France and England. It was impossible to calculate with precision, what number of pages the copy would fill; and although as much was stricken out, as a connexion of the subjects would allow, it was found necessary to abridge the concluding part, or to add a third volume, which the public would undoubtedly be less willing to bear, than the loss of observations on subjects of little novelty, and analogous to those comprised in the first volume of these letters.

As Italy and Switzerland were deemed more interesting, than the details of another Parisian winter, and of an excursion through the South of England, could possibly be rendered, the journal through the former countries has been preserved full and entire, while a summary of remarks on the latter could alone be given. It will be seen, that even after this abridgement, the two volumes contain a much larger number of pages, than the prospectus of the work promised; while the expenses of the publication exceed by several hundred dollars the estimate, by which the terms of subscription were regulated. In consequence of these unforeseen expenditures, arising in part from a finer quality of paper than was originally contemplated, the price to non-subscribers will necessarily be enhanced. The author is conscious of having spared no pains

to satisfy his friends, and to meet the liberality of the public, so unequivocally expressed; and he now sends forth a work, which has cost him much labour, not without a due share of all those little hopes and anxieties, which alternately cheer and sadden the seclusion of the closet.

New-York, 15th October, 1827.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

Page.

LETTER I.-Passage across the Atlantic.

LETTER II.-Arrival on the coast of Ireland-Kinsale-Ride to Cork-
Sketch of the city-Excursion to the cove of Cork-Celebration of Ameri-
can Independence.

Książki